Catholic 7 teams continue to pursue 'evolution'

Jan. 4, 2013
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Marquette athletic director Larry Williams reacts during a post-game news conference after the Golden Eagles' game Dec. 15 agaisnt Savannah State in Milwaukee. The seven Big East schools, including Marquette, that don't play FBS football have decided to leave the conference and pursue a new basketball framework. The other schools are: Georgetown, St. John's, Villanova, DePaul, Seton Hall and Providence. / Tom Lynn, Associated Press

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

Presidents of the so-called "Catholic 7" Conference, which includes St. John's, DePaul, Providence, Marquette, Villanova, Seton Hall and Georgetown, met Friday in New York City to begin planning further steps of their departure from the Big East and a new 10 or 12-team basketball conference.

The presidents released the following statement Friday afternoon:

"Earlier today, university presidents representing the seven basketball schools of the Big East met in New York to discuss our orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools that continues to honor the history and tradition on which the Big East was established.

"We have retained the services of Proskauer Rose LLP and Pilson Communications, Inc.

"We had a very productive engagement among our group of seven and expect that there will be ongoing discussion and conversation among our group and our colleagues in the Big East as we continue to pursue our evolution."

Big East commissioner Mike Aresco told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday that financial negotiations between the departing schools and the Big East have been cordial and ongoing.